Prevent dog collar sensitivity?

Thursday March 31st, 2011

Question:

How do I prevent my dog from getting sensitive about collar grabs?

Answer:

Twenty percent of dog bites occur when a family member grabs the dog by the scruff or collar. One doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out why. Obviously, the dog has learned that when people grab his collar, bad things often happen, and he reacts defensively.

To prevent this from ever happening with your dog, you'll need to teach your puppy that being grabbed by the collar isn't so bad--in fact, it's often a good thing.

DON'T:
...let your puppy play uninterrupted and then take him by the collar to end the play session--he'll naturally begin to dislike you reaching for his collar.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
...frequently interrupt play sessions by taking your puppy by the collar, asking him to sit, praising him, offering a piece of kibble, and then letting him go back to play. Repeat this procedure throughout the day, reaching for his collar faster and faster the more you practice. Do this exercise at home and, when your pup's old enough, in the dog park. Your puppy will soon develop happy associations with being grabbed.

DON'T:
... drag your puppy into his crate by the collar. Otherwise he'll understandably learn to dislike being taken by the collar, as well as going into his crate.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
...teach your puppy to enjoy his time in his crate, so he'll go there willingly.

DON'T:
...grab your puppy by the collar to reprimand or punish him. Doing this just once will make him hate being grabbed by the collar, and he'll soon become hand-shy.

DO THIS INSTEAD:
...take him regularly by the collar to give him a treat, snap on the leash for a walk, or for other rewards and activities he likes.

Tags Adolescent Dogs, Aggression Toward People, Dog Behavior, Dog Socialization, Puppies, Raising A People Friendly Dog

DogTime newsletter

Recent conversations on these topics

Anyone heard of the Hotdoll for Dogs?
This is too funny! Saw this on divinecaroline.com... "The Hotdoll is a doggy love doll that is supposed to help channel the sexual appetite of canine pets." The Hotdoll website doesn't appear to be ready yet but checkout the article and picture here:<a href="http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/33672/33237-hotdoll-dogs">Hotdoll Article</a> Doesn't the dog in the picture look satisfied??!!
Political Animals: Why Some Stray Dogs Have Joined the Greek Riots
An interesting sociological phenomenon is taking place in the city of Athens. Some of the city's stray dogs are joining the anti-government demonstrators! <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-puppy-my-self/201005/political-animals-why-some-stray-dogs-have-joined-the-greek-riots">Political Animals: Why Stray Dogs Have Joined the Greek Riots<a> LCK
Canine Communication, II: "Calming Signals" & the Mel Gibson Tapes
Hi dog lovers! Check out my latest article on how dogs communicate, including input from Sigmund Freud, the Beach Boys, and the Mel Gibson tapes. Enjoy! <a href="http://ow.ly/2cxgt">Canine Communication, II: Calming Signals & the Mel Gibson Tapes<a>” LCK
replica swiss watches
If you want to buy some,I recomeend <a href="http://www.repliquemontres.org" title="http://www.repliquemontres.org">replique montre</a>,<a href="http://www.repliquemontres.org" title="http://www.repliquemontres.org" >replique</a>,<a href="http://www.sir-mgmt.com" title="http://www.sir-mgmt.com">swiss replica watches</a> to you!You maylike this <a href="http://www.sir-mgmt.com" title="http://www.sir-mgmt.com">replica watches</a> <a href="http://www.repliquemontres.org" title="http://www.repliquemontres.org">repliques montres</a> and <a href="http://www.replicaswisswatches.us" title="http://www.replicaswisswatches.us">replica watches</a>.Thank you for come to replicaswisswatches.us!